Sea wave energy to supply the Aeolian Islands in sustainable way

Abstract

The diffusion of technologies supplied by Renewable Energy Sources is contributing in the challenge of reduction of energy dependence from fossil fuels, avoiding the emission of several polluting substances and greenhouse gases. Despite the technological development and important results around the world, in several remote areas or small islands the electrical energy production is based on obsolete technologies, supplied by fossil fuels. This solution is not sustainable for the environment, as the emissions of several pollutants. Focusing the attention on small islands, these areas usually have a standalone grid, as the high cost to build an electrical connection to the mainland, in comparison with the electrical demand. The paper analyses the Aeolian Islands, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, at north of Sicily, considering the current energy demand and evaluate the availability of renewable energy sources in the Aeolian Islands. With the goal of satisfying the electrical energy consumption in a sustainable way, the paper proposes an energetic mix based on renewable energy sources. The mix includes also sea wave, a new entry in the renewable energy context.